1965 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350

This GT350 that hails from somewhere in Texas isn't the typical highly polished restoration project. In fact, Harry Hiney isn't your typical Mustang enthusiast. He came to the Grand National in this smoking hulk, parked it near the front of the show site, and left it--unlocked and unmanned.

Point of fact. Harry doesn't care about the fact that the car is a '65 GT350. In fact, Harry didn't know that the car was special. To him, it is transportation to and from the farm he has owned for 40 years. But he does have an interest--his grandson. It seems that the young fellow invited Harry to the show to see his late-model GT that was on display. The young guy even entered his granddad's Mustang in the show as a joke.

When we asked the old fellow about the car, his response was a shrug and a mild frown. "Just a car. I drive it around." Though we were afraid to know more, the ratty condition and hard use the car had seen prompted us to probe Harry for answers. When we asked him when the car was bought, he shrugged and seemed to begin to add up the time. "Sixty-seven. Bought from a racin' guy. He wanted more money than I wanted to pay so I traded a farm truck and $800. Worse deal I ever made. Car sucks gas and is too noisy. That's why I put them Midas Quiet-One mufflers and pipes out the back."

Right. OK. We would have been amused were we not so shocked. Here was a find--a real find--and the guy didn't have a clue. Being gluttons for punishment, we probed further. We asked about the paint condition as well as the gnarly whitewall tires.

"The paint started flakin' off that hood and one side a few years ago, so I just went to Sears and got some good, bright white enamel house paint and used a roller on it. It ain't real pretty, but at least it is all one color on the sides. Let me finally get rid of them blamed stripes that some fool put on it, too--crazy kids. I left the top stripes so I could find the car in town--makes it easy to spot." Harry's watery blue eyes lit up when the tires came into the conversation. "Ameriways, and I got one heck of a good deal. Brother owns a tire store. 'Course those are my summer tires. I use snow tires in the winter--better traction in the mud on the farm. I welded that bar set up on the front so's I can get the thing out of the ditch with my tractor when the road to the house gets soggy. Most times I just leave it out by the paved road in the winter and drive the tractor out to it--'cept when it's really cold."

When we asked Harry if he knew who Carroll Shelby is, he shook his head. "Nope. Used to be a Selby in the next town over from me, but he was a doctor." When we asked if Harry was a fan of Mustangs, he smiled and winked. "The cars or the horses? The cars are OK. This one has been handy, but them horses are one tough breed. Like 'em. Used to break 'em 'til I hurt my back in '68."

We continued to look the car over, and one guy asked if Harry would sell the GT350. "Nah. She's still got some miles left in her. I reckon I'll just put the old gal out in the pasture when I'm done--that, or give her to my grandson."